“I think the big thing for her was that she wanted Herman to have a good home and get adopted,” Sears said.

On Friday, a family adopted Herman, but they returned him on Wednesday after realizing they couldn’t give him the attention workers at the shelter said he needs.

“He’s got some separation anxiety, which we would expect because his owner’s gone,” said Cindy Pugh, the manager at State Line Animal Hospital. “He’d do better with somebody that was either retired or home a lot.”

Pugh said pets like Herman often wind up in shelters when their senior owners die. Family and friends don’t always step up to care for them.

Herman, the 11 year-old terrier needs a new home.

“We have a disposable society, and when it becomes a problem, a lot of people give up,” Pugh said.

Pugh said Herman may have a bit of anxiety, but he's also a ball of energy.